Rep. Sean Bagniewski

Maddy summaryHF 214 changes how Iowa school districts receive state funding for approved preschool programs. It increases the "preschool budget enrollment" from 50% to 100% of actual eligible student enrollment on October 1 (or the first Monday in October if October 1 falls on a weekend) when calculating funding. For districts newly approved to participate, it also modifies the initial year funding calculation to use 60% of eligible enrollment instead of the previous method. This bill applies to school budget years starting July 1, 2026, directly affecting school districts offering state-approved preschool programs.

Maddy summaryHF 207 modifies reporting requirements for patients involuntarily committed for mental health treatment in Iowa. It requires medical directors or treating clinicians to submit an initial report to the court within 60 days of the commitment order, followed by reports at intervals of up to six months (previously 90 days) while the court order remains active. The bill also mandates that reports detail the patient’s condition (improved, unchanged, or deteriorated) and estimated treatment duration, and requires immediate notification if a patient refuses court-ordered treatment without good cause. This directly affects patients under involuntary commitment, healthcare facilities, and the courts overseeing their cases.

Maddy summaryHF 161 requires Iowa's lottery division to keep the names, addresses, and personal details of winners of $1 million or more prizes confidential if the winner chooses anonymity when claiming the prize. This directly affects individuals or legal entities (with an EIN) who win $1 million or more and request privacy. The bill mandates that the lottery division withhold this information upon the winner's request at the time of claim, while still requiring standard identification (like a driver's license or EIN) for verification. It does not change how smaller prize winners' information is handled. The law takes effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHJR 5 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish new rules for Iowa citizens to directly propose constitutional changes or new laws through petitions, and to refer bills passed by the legislature to voter approval. It requires petition signatures equal to 8% of the previous gubernatorial vote in at least three-fourths of congressional districts for constitutional amendments, and 5% for proposed laws or referendums on bills. Petitions must be submitted 6 months before elections for initiatives or within 90 days of a legislative session for referendums, and initiatives cannot create new spending without new revenue. The amendment also excludes emergency bills, current spending, and school funding from referendum, and states that referendum-approved bills take effect without governor approval. This is a proposed constitutional change, not yet enacted, requiring voter ratification after legislative approval.

Maddy summaryHF 152 directs Iowa to apply for and participate in the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) for Children program, which provides food assistance to children during summer months when school meals are unavailable. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (with Education) to submit an application to the USDA by February 2025 and appropriates state funds to cover administrative costs for the summer 2025 program. It directly affects approximately 240,000 Iowa children eligible for the program, which is funded by an estimated $29 million in federal resources. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment but applies retroactively to July 1, 2024, ensuring state funding covers costs from that date.

Maddy summaryHF 148 requires sellers and installers of commercial sod containing plastic netting to provide clear notice to buyers about the netting. It affects businesses selling or installing sod (defined as grass cut into pallets/rolls for permanent installation) that uses plastic netting for stability. The bill mandates that sellers notify purchasers at the time of sale, and installers must notify property owners before installation. Violations carry a $500 fine for a simple misdemeanor. The Department of Agriculture will set specific notice requirements, such as labels or written statements.

Maddy summaryHF 159 prohibits Iowa cities from adopting or enforcing rules that restrict homeowners in residential neighborhoods (with 25 mph speed limits or less) from growing purposely planted vegetation up to 42 inches tall. The bill directly affects residential property owners who want to grow low-height plants or shrubs without city interference. Key provisions require cities to remove or not create ordinances that limit such vegetation, ensuring homeowners can maintain small-scale landscaping. This policy change specifically targets local zoning rules in quiet residential areas, not broader environmental or agricultural regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Iowa pharmacists to order, administer, and dispense point-of-care HIV tests and HIV preventive drugs (pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis) under statewide protocols developed with the health department. It directly affects pharmacists, patients seeking rapid HIV testing or prevention services, and health insurance plans. The key mechanism requires health insurance plans to cover these pharmacist-provided services, even if their standard policies exclude pharmacists, as long as the services follow the approved protocols. The bill defines key terms like "HIV-related test" and "health benefit plan" to clarify implementation.

Maddy summaryHF 111 creates a tax credit for advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) who serve as unpaid clinical preceptors for nursing students. Eligible preceptors receive a $500 credit per qualifying clinical mentoring session (with at least 100 hours of supervised learning), capped at $2,000 annually for individual income tax. To qualify, preceptors must provide uncompensated instruction at their workplace, be selected by nursing programs, and have at least one year of preceptor experience. The credit applies to tax years starting January 1, 2026, and any unused portion isn’t refundable or carryable to other years.